Aluminum Wiring
Colonial Electric Can Replace Your Aluminum Wiring
The electricians at Colonial Electric are adept at performing aluminum wiring replacement services for homeowners and business owners. Many facilities throughout Maryland and Northern Virginia have been standing for decades, which means a significant amount of them feature aluminum wiring. If that is the case for your residential or commercial property, we recommend having it rewired with copper wiring or an aluminum-to-copper changeover. Such action will improve the electrical performance of your home while also minimizing the safety hazards associated with aging or overcharged aluminum wires. Call us today to schedule an evaluation of your home’s wiring and discuss ways to improve it with our highly-trained technicians.
Aluminum Wiring Could Put Your Home at Risk
Many homes built in the 1960s and early 1970s were wired with aluminum. At the time, builders and electricians considered it to be a reasonable replacement for copper wiring, but that has proven not to be the case. Aluminum wiring was desirable because it is less expensive than its copper counterpart, but the metals have vastly different characteristics. To carry the same volume of electricity as copper wires, a larger gauge aluminum wire is necessary. Building codes were changed to require copper wiring instead of aluminum wiring. But many homes in the area were already constructed, leaving each vulnerable to disaster.
Benefits of Copper Wiring
Copper wiring is significantly safer than aluminum wiring, which is why it is standard for homes that are built today. Research has shown that homes with aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely to exhibit “Fire Hazard Conditions” than those with copper wiring. But while safety is arguably the most notable advantage in copper wiring’s favor, it is not the only one. Copper wiring is cost-effective and energy-efficient. It requires far less maintenance than aluminum – so you rarely ever have to worry about connections – and it has a higher electrical conductivity. Furthermore, replacing your aluminum wiring with copper wiring will increase your property’s resale value.
Colonial Electric Can Determine If You Need Wire Replacement
Just because you live in an older home does not mean that it has aluminum wiring. In the decades since aluminum wiring was the craze, many properties have undergone aluminum wiring replacement. That may hold true for you, but it is best to be safe. Colonial Electric can visit your home to examine its wiring and determine a proper course of action. Our electricians will open each light switch throughout your house to see if it has aluminum wire or if copper wire has been added to the original aluminum. If we notice that your switch or outlet has aluminum wiring we can replace it with an approved Leviton Co/alr device rated for aluminum or copper wiring.
Our Aluminum Wiring Replacement Solutions
The Colonial Electric team can perform several different aluminum-to-copper changeover solutions to ensure your safety. We will gladly discuss the necessary actions we must take to outfit your home with copper wiring and minimize your risks. Our options include:
Bimetallic Connector Implementation
If it is impractical to rewire your whole house with copper wiring, Colonial Electric can provide an alternative solution that features the installation of bimetallic connectors for your home’s outlets and switches. Such connectors comply with all safety regulations and reduce your risk of fire or disaster.
Contact Colonial Electric for Aluminum Wiring Replacement
Homes with aluminum wiring are at an exponentially higher risk of fires or electrical disasters than homes that feature copper wiring. If you suspect your home was built using aluminum wiring, let Colonial Electric upgrade its safety and performance. We have been serving commercial and residential property owners for 50 years, so you can rest assured we have the expertise to complete your aluminum wiring replacement efficiently. Contact us today for a free estimate